Return to the Center Stage phenomenon with new passions and partners in the amped-up, high-energy Center Stage: Turn It Up. All Kate Parker has ever wanted to do was perform with the American Ballet Academy. But when she d... more &raquooesn't get in, she learns that it takes more than just natural talent to succeed in the dance world. With a turn in a cutting-edge hip-hop club and the help of a handsome former hockey player-turned-dancer, she may yet manage to make her dreams come true. Peter Gallagher (TV's The O.C., Center Stage), Kenny Wormald (TV's Dancelife), Ethan Stiefel (Center Stage) and a cast of hot, up-and-coming stars rock to a new beat in this unmissable sensation!&laquo less

Movie Reviews

A pleasant surprise. Kenny and Rachele heat up the small scr

Marcy Gomez | Kansas City, USA | 12/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoy dance movies and have the first "Center Stage" on dvd. I wasn't sure what to expect from the sequel but decided to check it out when it premiered in Oxygen channel. I found myself hooked within the first 10 minutes. Kenny Wormald and Rachele Brooke Smith are attractive and talented young actors who do a great job of carrying this movie. Both actors are clearly cast for their dancing and athletic abilities, as well as their good looks, and for novice actors, they do a creditable job.

The story centers around Kate Parker (Smith) and Tommy Anderson (Wormald). Kate dreams of attending the American Ballet School in NYC but unfortunately doesn't make the cut at audition. Tommy - a former hockey player turned ballet dancer - gets in. When Tommy spots Kate at the audition, sparks fly. Dejected Kate takes a job at a bar/dance club that is owned by Tommy's friend and Tommy falls for Kate. Tommy offers to help Kate improve her ballet skills, while Kate helps Tommy improve his "hip/hop-street dance" skills. They hit it off and fall in love. Conflicts arise when Tommy's wealthy classmate Suzanne (Sarah Jensen) gets in the way and Kate is torn between her fear of rejection (as she plans to re-audition for ABS) and her dreams of being a ballerina.

If you love dance movies like "Center Stage," "Step Up" and "Save the Last Dance," then this movie is for you. The dancing is more of a blend of the first "Center Stage" and "Step Up" with ballet moves mixed in with hip-hop/street dance. Both leads are very talented and live up to the demands of the complex dance routines. Smith started out as a gymnast and it shows. She is also charming and lights up the screen with her big smile and gorgeous eyes. Wormald was a back-up dancer for Justin Timberlake and was in the reality series "Dancelife." With his brown eyes and intense stare, he is definitely swoon-worthy.

Back from the first "Center Stage" are Peter Gallagher (in the same role) and Ethan Stieffel (Cooper Nelson - now an instructor), but don't expect Amanda Schull and Sasha Radensky from the first film. In all honesty, the new leads are interesting enough to hold the story so I spent little time regretting their absence. The music blends well with the storyline and the dancing is superb.

If you're going in expecting to see a good made-for-tv movie with great dancing, attractive and talented leads and an engaging storyline, then you won't be disappointed. Think of it as "Center Stage" meets "Step Up" with a bit of "Flashdance" sprinkled in and you're all set. For my part, I enjoyed it and certainly plan to purchase the dvd when it comes out. And if they ever do release the soundtrack, then I'll be in line to buy that, too."

A severe case of miscasting!

Eduardo S. Cabeza | Los Angeles, CA USA | 04/28/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although I enjoyed the film's storyline(or re-hashed story line?)I foundsome of the casting decision a bit, no, very insulting. Rachele Brooke Smith may be a good actress on the rise(I hope)but has zero ballet bodyrequisites: her feet barely arch while on toe shoes, her knees don't straightem and lacks a decent natural line doing arabesques. The blondactress playing her rival (good performance!)doesn't have the long leggedperfect body for ballet that we see on stages today(even in the chorus, orcorp de ballet members)My question is: Could they not find perfect or close to perfect real ballet dancers(or even advanced students)to playthose parts?. Don't they realize that a lot of the viewers of the film mayhave some basic ballet knowledge?. As for the hip hop dance sequences I'veseen better in the local tv channels amateur competitions. Is that whythe scenes in the club were so poorly lighted?."

Center Stage Turn It Up

Cascade | Northern California | 12/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a huge fan of Kenny's when I watched the TV show on MTV "Dancelife". He is an excellent dancer and when I saw him on TV in a movie I had to stop and see what it was about. When I realized it was a sequel to the movie "Center Stage" I was excited, but not hopeful for a good movie, because I had seen his talent and had loved the previous movie. However, I was completely surprised by the quality of the pot and the great choreography and the dancers. I loved this movie for the excellent dancing, not to mention the acting was better then that of the first movie. I felt that Tommy's character was intriguing and talented, also believable in his struggle. I also liked the idea of a ballerina without rich parents, Kate, is inspiring and although you want to slap her into giving more of herself to her dream, she is totally relatable. Everyone has had self doubt and in that you relate to Kate in her goals and dreams. This movie is worth a watch if you enjoy movies about dance, there are some great ballet scenes as well as excellent hip hop routines. I am going to buy this movie as soon as it is available. Two Thumbs Up."

Center Stage: Turn It Up

Lynn | Grand Junction, CO United States | 05/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike most sequels, this was just as good as the first. All the stories are simiilar - boy meets girl from different backgrounds. There are a couple of cast memberes from Center Stage with lots of new talented members. If you like dance as the background, you will enjoy this dvd."

Great movie!

pflcipresrchr | USA | 04/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved this movie! I know part of it (her ballet training) may not be completely realistic but the movie is so good. It's different in a good way from the first Center Stage."